Wonder Reef opened on 8 June 2022 as the world's first buoyant, or floating, artificial reef. The $5 million project, funded equally by the City of Gold Coast and the Queensland Government, lies about 2.5 km off Philip Park on The Spit at Main Beach. It consists of nine huge spiral-shaped structures designed by artist Daniel Templeton, inspired by hot-air balloons and kelp, held by chains to reinforced concrete and steel pyramid foundations weighing up to 72-75 tonnes each; the components total more than 738 tonnes and create around 32,000 square metres of reef habitat.

The spirals float with their tops at about 8 m, while the anchors sit on the seabed at roughly 25-30 m, so the site offers three natural levels – 8, 18 and 30 m – and suits everyone from newly certified divers on the upper spirals to advanced divers on the foundations. The structures move gently with the ocean's energy, like a kelp forest, which gives the dive a surreal feel. Coral was transplanted onto the reef in late 2021, and marine growth and fish have colonised it quickly.

Divernet lists giant Queensland grouper, goldspotted rock cod, lionfish, schools of Indian scad, rainbow runners, trevallies, eagle rays, corals, sponges and crinoids, along with blennies, damsels, sergeant majors, butterflyfish, crabs, shrimps, nudibranchs and flatworms. Experience Gold Coast adds sequined mulloway, clownfish, crayfish, octopus and wobbegongs. Access is primarily through licensed operators, with Gold Coast Dive Adventures running trips several days a week, often paired with the Scottish Prince.

It is a genuinely novel dive and a showcase for how artificial reefs can combine art, science and engineering.

Boat access only. Gold Coast Dive Adventures departs Runaway Bay Marina (Bayview Street, Runaway Bay – parking, cafes, toilets), runs south down the Broadwater and out through the Gold Coast Seaway; the reefs off the Seaway and The Spit are 10-20 minutes from the marina. Private boats launch at the Seaway/Broadwater ramps (e.g.

Doug Jennings Park area, Southport, Runaway Bay) and must cross the Seaway entrance, which can be rough on an outgoing tide against an easterly swell. Wonder Reef is about 2.5 km offshore from Philip Park on The Spit, roughly 10 minutes from the Seaway entrance.

Offshore Gold Coast reefs sit in open water and are limited by swell and wind: easterly or south-easterly swell over about 1.5 m and south-east trade winds over 15-20 knots make the sites rough and stir up the bottom, while summer north-easterly sea breezes build through the afternoon. Visibility is typically 8-20 m, best after several days of southerly or westerly winds and in winter, and poor after heavy rain when the Nerang River and Broadwater outflow spreads along the coast. The Seaway crossing is safest on the incoming tide.

The floating spirals move with the swell, which adds to the effect but can cause surge on the upper structures in bigger seas.

Descend to the tops of the spirals at about 8 m, then work down one or two spirals to 18 m and, for advanced divers, to the foundations at 25-30 m. Plan a multilevel profile, finishing on the upper spirals and ascending on the line.

Multilevel profile; nitrox helps for dives to the foundations.

Gold Coast Dive Adventures (Runaway Bay) – contracted operator running trips four to five days a week; one other contracted Gold Coast operator. Private access subject to site rules.